Standpipe fitting



H. S. WALKER STAND PIPE FITTING Sept. 2, 1930.

Filed Oct. 27. 1928 ATTORNEY5 Patented Sept. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERVEY S. WALKER, OF- ABDMORE, PENNSYLVANIA STANDPIPE FITTING Application filed October 27, 1928. Serial No. 315,420.

, I distance below the finished floor surface.

These ducts may be of steel construction and may have a plurality of tubular outlet fittin s or inserts mounted in the duct wall at suitab intervals, these fittings extending upwardly to the floor surface and being closed by removable caps.- The ducts in the different runs lead to boxes at the intersections, where electrical connections can be made, and when service is required at any point along the system, the cap in the nearest outlet is removed,

and wires are fished through the outlet from the nearest box. At this outlet, the service connection is-completd by the installation in the end of the outlet of a stand-pipe which extends upwardly from the floor a few inches, thus preventing water from entering the duc' and also protecting the wiring I When the connection is to high tension wiring for example, of 110 volts for lighting purposes, the standpipe used heretofore has commonly consisted of four main parts, a

flanged sleeve with a slotted end which is inserted in the end of the outlet and lies with its flange flat on the floor, a pipe nipple Which is screwed into the sleeve to expand the slotted end to cause it to be tightly held in lace a casin which is screwed on the u er end of the nipple and receives a receptacle, and a cover plate which is attached to the casing to hold the receptacle in place. The receptacle frequently used heretofore has included downwardly projecting binding posts which extend into the body of the casing, to which wires are connected, the presence of these posts requiring the use of an insulating sleeve in a part of the casing.

The construction above described has numerous disadvantages among which are the cost by reason of the number of parts which have to be provided with threads, and

the difliculty of making an electrical connection to the binding posts of the receptacle. As these posts are on. the underside of the receptacle, when a connection is to be made,

the receptacle must be taken out of the casing, and the wires led out through the nipple and the casing to a length suificient to permit attachment to the binding posts. The Wires are then stripped of insulation, the attachment made, and the receptacle replaced in the casing. As the length of the wires necessary to permit attachment in the manner described is considerably greater than that necessary to lead from the box to the terminals when the receptacle is in place, this extra length of wire has to be pushed back through the fitting into the duct, where it coils or kinks. Such slack in the wire occupies a substantial amount of space in the duct and may seriously hamper later fishing operations incident to the making of other connections.

The fitting of the present invention overcomes these difliculties and may be made at substantially less cost, and installed with greater facility. l/Vith this fitting is emcludes terminals exposed to view when the cover of the fitting is removed and so disposed that connecting the wires thereto is a simple operation and does not require removal of the receptacle. In making the connection, the wires, may be drawn as taut as may be desirable, and in any event, slack in the wires which would encumber the duct can readily be avoided.

The new stand-pipe includes a casing with a cover and an integral tubular extension threaded near one end and adapted to be received in the usual flanged floor plate. 'The casing with the cover plate in positionisgenerally barrel-shaped withits ends open, and the body of the receptacle is received snugly in the casing, having a projection on one side entering a recess in the casing wall to prevent displacement. The receptacle may be of the double type, and of two parts secured together, each having the usual terminal sleeves for reception of the prongs of a plug. The wires are led through an openin extending entirely through the body of the 75 ployed a receptacle of novel design which inreceptacle from top to bottom, and thesewires are separated a short distance from.

their ends and led to terminals in recesses in the top of the receptacle, one on each side, of the opening.

With this construction, thecost of the fitting is substantially reduced since it is proof Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a ceptacle, and I Fig. 4 is aperspective view of a "double terminal member used therein.

Referring now to the drawings, the duct 10'is shown as having-a tubular outlet 11 mounted in its wall and extending through perspective view of the new red floor material 12 to the surface of the finished floor 13. In the upper end of the outlet is mounted the flanged sleeve 14, the flange 15 of which lies on the floor surface, while the end 16 of the sleeve enters the outlet. The sleeve is slotted as indicated at 17 and has internal screw threads 18 near itsupper end.

The stand-pipe includes a casing 19 which with the cover plate 20 forms a housing generally ofthe shape of a'barrel, the

i cover plate being held in place bya pair of lugs 21, one on each side which project into the casing and are attached thereto by means of small screws 22. From the side wall of the casing projects a tubular extension 23 formed integrally ,Withthe casing and provided with screw threads 24 spaced from 1ts lower end. Beyond the threads, the end 25 :of theextension is of less external diameter than the remainder of the extension, and this reduced end is to enter the sleeve 14 and expand the slottedend of the latter so that the sleeve is tightly 'wedged in the outlet 11. l

The receptacleused in the new fitting is shown more clearly in Fig.3. It is made of phenol condensation product or other suitableinsulating material andincludes a cylindrical body 26 with a short extension 27 from one side. The body is made up of two halves secured together by bolts 28 extend;

ing theiethrough, and each'half carries a part of the extension 27. The receptacle shown is of the double type, each half having recesses 29 in'its flat end wall for the reception of the prongs of a plu Each half also carries a double terminal member 30, which has leaves 31 received in recesses in the receptacle member-to lie in registry with a recess 29. Each terminal member is double, so that it carries two sets of leaves one for each half ofthe plug. The member is also provided with a strap 32 with the usual binding screw 33,

' and this strap extends up through a suitable recess in the receptacle to enter another recess 34 in the top of the receptacle.

Extending through thereceptacle from its top to the bottom of the extension 27 is an opening 35, this opening being defined by cooperating channels formed in the faces of the two halves. This opening is for the passage of the wires which are to be connected to .the terminal straps 32 and the wires are shown in cable form at 36. The recesses 34, one in each half of the receptacle extend to the wall of the opening 35.

With the arrangement described, the makin of a connection is a simple operation. Ai ter the wires have been fished through the duct and outlet, the cover plate 20 is removed, and the wires are led through the stand-pipe and through the opening 35. The stand-pipe is then threaded into the sleeve, and the wires drawn taut as may be desired. With the receptacle in position, one wire is stripped of insulation in the usual way and connected to a strap 32 by the screw 33. The second wire is then connected to the other strap, the cover: plate restored to position and the connection is complete. It will be observed that making the connection does not require removal of the receptacle and the wires leading to the nearest box need not be substantially longer than required, so that there is no slack in the duct. 1

, The housing defined by the casing and cover plate is of slightly greater internal diameter at its middle than the outer diameter of the receptacle to permit the use of the internal lugs 21 but at the ends the hous-' ing fits the receptacle snugly. In its lower wall in alignment with the opening through the'tubular extension, the casing is provided with a shallow recess37 into which the ex tension 2770f the receptacle is snugly received, thus preventing endwise and angu lar displacement of the receptacle in the housing.

Since the wiring is not stripped of its insulation except near its ends which lie 1n the opening in the'insulating receptacle, the construction illustrated makes it possible to dispense with insulating sleeves and the like,the recesses 34 being sufficiently deep so that contact between the bare wires and the metal of the cover plate is avoided.

The stand-pipe is preferably made of brass and it lendsitself readily to neat and attractive design. The construction illustrated is intended for use with a double receptacle, but if desired a single receptacle.

may be used in which event the opening at 'one end of the housing formed by the casexposed through said opening,

a by said posts are accessible ing and cover will be closed by appropriate wiring system which comprises the combination of a casing, a cover therefor extending from end to end of said casing'and with the casing forming a substantially cylindrical hollow housing having atleast one open end, a tubular extension from the casing in communication with the interior of the housing; a receptacle in the housing having an end tacle at said end having enclosed terminal members for the reception of the prongs of a plug; a pair of recesses in-the body' of the receptaclelying on opposite sides of the axis of the extension when the receptacle is in normal position in the housing, and a pair of binding posts, ed 'to said terminal members, said recesses lying in a part of said receptacle adjacent to and normally overlain by said cover wherewithout removal of said receptacle when said 2. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises the combination of a casmg, a cover therefor extending from end to end of said casing at the top thereof and'with the casing forming a hollow hous-' ing having at least one open end, a tubular extension from the side of the casing opposite to that where said cover lies, this extension being in communication with the interior of the housing, a receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through said opening, said receptacle at said end having en.- j

closed terminal members for the reception of the prongs of a plug, co-operating parts on the. receptacle and casing'for preventing displacement of the receptacle when in normal position in the housin and a pair of binding posts connected to sai terminal members and.

mounted in the receptacle adjacent to and directly overlain by said cover when the latter is attached to the casing, whereby said posts are accessible without. removal of the recep-.

tacle when the cover is removed.

3. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which. comprises-the combination of an elongated casing, a cover therefor extending from end to end of the casing along the top thereof and with'the casing forming a substantially cylindrical hollow housing having at least one openend, a tubular e'xtension from the bottom of the casing for the passage of wires into the interior of the housing, a receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through said opening, and a pair of binding posts mounted in open recesses in the body of the receptacle to which said -wires may be attached, said posts being overl'ain by said cover and accessible without removal of the receptacle when the cover is resaid recepone in each recess, connect-,

cover 1s removed.

4. A stand-pipe for use with aconduit wirat least oneopen end, a tubular extensionfrom the casing for the passage of wires into the interior of the housing, a receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through said opening, said receptacle and housing having interengaging partsto prevent dis placement of the receptacle, and a pair of binding posts in the body of the receptacle to which said wires may be attached, said winding posts lying in a part of the receptacle normally concealed by said cover and being accessible upon removal of the cover without removal of the receptacle.

5. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises the combination of a casing, a cover therefor extending from end to end housing having at least one open end, a tubular extension from the casing for the passage thereof and with the casing forming asubstantially cylindrical hollow of Wires into the interior of the housing, a.

receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through said opening, and a pair of binding posts in the body of the receptacle to which said wires may be attached, said binding posts lying in a part of said receptacle normally concealed by said cover and said posts being accessible upon removal of the cover without removal of the receptacle, the body of the receptacle having a passage for Wiring in it communicating at one end with the tubular extension, the other end of the passage being closed by the cover when the latter is in osition on the casing.

6. A stand pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises the combination of a substantially semi-cylindrical casing, a 1 cover therefor extending from end to end of a the casing and with the casing forming a sub-- for-wires through the body of 7. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wir- I ing system which comprises the combination of a substantially semi-cylindrical casing, a cover therefor extending from end to end and with the casing forming a substantially cylindrical hollow housing having at least oneopen end, a tubular extension from the casing for thepassage of wires into the interior of the housing, a receptacle in the housing having ing system which comprises a substantially an end exposed through said opening, apair of binding posts in recesses in the-body of the receptacle to which said wires may be attached, and a passage for wires through the body of the receptacle into which passage both of said recesses open, one of said binding posts lying on each side of said passage.

8. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wirsemi-cylindrical casing, a cover therefor extending from end toend' of the casing and with the casing forming a substantially cylindrical housing, a tubular extension integral with the casing and projecting ,from the side wall thereof, a receptacle in the housing having a vertical passage in'the' body thereof leading to the open end of said extension, and a binding post mounted in the body of the receptacle in a recess communicating with said passage, said binding post being normally overlain by said cover and accessible without removal of the receptacle when said cover is removed. v

' 9. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises a substantially semi-cylindricalcasing, a cover therefor extending from end to end of the 'casing and of binding posts 'in the body of the receptacle,

with the casing forming a substantially cylindrical housing, a tubular extension integral with the casing and projectingfrom the side wall near themiddle thereof, a receptacle in the housing having a central vertical passage through the body thereof in communication with the interior of the extension, and a pair one on each side of said passage, said binding posts being overlain by said cover when the latter is in position on the casing and being accessible without removal of "the receptacl when said cover is removed.

10. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises a casing, a cover therefor-and with the casing forminga hous ing, a tubulanextension integral with the casing and projecting from the side wall there of, a receptacle in the housing formed of two parts securedtogether and having channels in their opposed faces co-operating to form a passage through the rece'tacleleading to cess in the body of the receptacle, said recess opening into the passage, and said post lyingin a part of said receptacle normally overlain by said cover and being accessible when the cover is removed without-removal of the re- 'ceptacle from the housing.

12. A stand-p'pe-for use with a conduit w iring system which comprises thecombinatlon of a tubular member-adapted to be mounted in communication with an outlet from said system, a hollowhousing mounted on the'end of the tubular member, this housing being substantially cylindricalin form with .an opening in at least one end wall,.and being in part made up of a removable portion extending from end to end of the housing, a receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through said opening and having at said end enclosed terminal members for the reception ofthe prongs of a plug, and a pair of binding posts connected to said members andmounted on the body of said receptacle in a part normally concealed by the removable portion of said housing whereby on removal of said portion said posts are accessible without removal of said receptacle. i

13. In a wiring system, a conduit embedded in the floor and having an outlet, fitting-extending from the conduit toward the floor surface, atubular member mounted to com- .municate with the conduit through the outlet fitting and extending above the floor surface, a semi-cylindrical casing integral with the upper end ofsaid tubular member, a cover for said casing extending from end to end thereof and with the casing forming a hous-- mg, a receptacle in the housing having at least one end exposed through an opening at i the end of'the housing, and binding posts in the receptacle normally overlain and corn eealed by'said cover, said binding posts being accessible upon removal of said cover without removal of thereceptacle from'thehousi'ng.

14. A stand-pipe for use with a conduit wiring system which comprises a casing substantially semi-cylindrical in form and having substantially straight side edges, a cover I substantially semi-cylindrical in form and having substantially straight side edges, co-

operating means on the cover and casing for securmg the twov together with their side edges in contact to form a hollow housing,

a receptacle in the housing having an end exposed through an opening at one end of the housing, said receptacle having enclosed terminal members for receiving the prongs of form with substantially straight side edges,

a wiringplug, and a pair of binding posts connected to said terminal members and a cover substantially semi-cylindrical in form and havin substantially straight side edges, said cover eing adapted to be placed on said casing with the side edges of said parts in contact, whereby said parts form a substantially cylindrical-housing, projections on ,one

ofsaid parts adapted to extend beyond the side edges of the second part when said parts cooperate to form the housing, means on the second part engagin said projections to se cure said parts toget er, a receptacle in said housing having at least one end exposed through an opening in said housing, enclosed terminal members in said end of said receptacle ada ted to receive the prongs of a wiring plug, an a pair of binding posts connected to said terminal members and mounted in a part of said receptacle normally overlain by said cover, whereby removal of said cover exposes said posts.

In testimony whereof I aflix my siggiature.

- HERVEY 'S. 

